MARION COUNTY — A 32-year-old Mt. Vernon man was sentenced Tuesday in Marion County court to 4 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a firearms offense.

Duston McCowen pleaded guilty to a Class 3 felony charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm in exchange for a Class 4 felony charge of aggravated fleeing police, and all associated traffic violations being dismissed.

McCowen was arrested after he crashed when turning onto Schwartz Road during a high-speed chase on Route 161 in January.

According to Marion County Sheriff’s deputies, they first attempted to stop McCowen on Bundyville Road but he instead fled the stop and took them on a pursuit that continued onto Route 161 with speeds reaching 100 miles per hour.

McCowen apparently lost control of his vehicle and crashed in to a ditch when attempted a turn on to Schwartz Road.

Neither McCowen or a female passenger who was released without charge were injured in the crash.

Deputies reportedly located a sawed-off shotgun in the vehicle and Animal control was called to take custody of a dog that was in the car.